New service unmasks anonymous cell callers

A service launched on Tuesday lets cell phone users unmask the Caller ID on anonymous calls.

TrapCall, which is offered by TelTech Systems, reveals the phone numbers of and, in some cases, the names and addresses of blocked Caller IDs. Toms River, N.J.-based TelTech is also the company behind the controversial SpoofCard, an Internet calling-card service that allows users to place calls in which originating caller numbers appear to be something completely different--like the White House switchboard.

Cell phone users have long been able to shield their originating number from display by dialing *67 before placing a call. However, cell calls placed to 800-numbers have been immune to this technique because the toll-free number is paying to receive the call. TrapCall takes advantage of that arrangement.

TrapCall instructs new users to reprogram their cell phones to send all rejected, missed, and unanswered calls to TrapCall's own number. When a blocked or restricted number appears on a cell display, the user presses a button on the cell that is normally used to send the call to voicemail. The call is then rerouted to TrapCall's toll-free line, where the caller's information is obtained and then sent back to the original call's recipient. All this reportedly takes about six seconds while the caller is listening to a normal dial tone.

The service, which is currently available to AT&T and T-Mobile subscribers, is free and includes the option of blacklisting unwelcome callers. Additional premium features include the recording incoming calls (which TelTech notes may be illegal, depending on the users' individual state laws), voicemail transcriptions via e-mail and text message, and the ability to listen to voicemail via the Web.

However, the service raises a couple of sticky privacy issues, especially for victims of domestic violence.

Cindy Southworth, director of technology at the National Network to End Domestic Violence, told Wired that the service raises "huge concerns" for her that abusers would use the service to locate victims fleeing abusive relationships, especially ones in which the victim and abuser share custody of a child.

However, TelTech President Meir Cohen responded to those charges by defending the service as merely utilizing a process that has long been available to anyone with access to an 800-number.

[professionaladventurer]

I don't like abusers, but to the point: don't call a person that is abusing you from phone that would be valuable to trace. Regardless of this service.

[aka_tripleB]

I think what started the call privacy movement was an abuser got the information off of a phone from a friend of the victim, not from a call directly to the abuser. There is a need for blanketed privacy, not just to certain people.

[bmelendy]

I dont' think I'd use this service. Though I hate private numbers, I just don't answer them, or any other number I don't know. If it is important, they will leave me a voice message and I'll call them back.

[JunkSiu]

I just use the block anonymous features. It is available for years.

[JCPayne]

Thanks CNET! I had something similar from Verizon. It was called Iobi ( www.verizon.com/iobi ) but I think because it was so effective at blocking telemarketers (better than the now watered down Do Not Call List law.)
They took it off my line and refuse to put it back. I'm going to give this a try.

[AndrewRich]

Doesn't work with Sprint.

[monkey2168]

On Valentines day I received nonstop and continuos anonymous calls. Thank you CNET for providing us this service. It really works, did I say it really works? Hell yeah!

[molotov]

In your dreams monkey boy.

[codynews]

This doesn't really work on an iphone, at least not that I could figure out.

I signed up and had a buddy call me to test it. When she called I saw I had a blocked call coming in but I can't send it to voicemail right away. I have to slide the arrow on the screen to 'open' the phone. And that picks up the call. Or if I don't do that, it just becomes a missed call.

I can't think of any way to make it happen other than if the phone was already 'active' I could hit "ignore" then maybe it'd work...

Thoughts?

Cody

[codynews]

okay yeah. If I'm 'using' my phone when someone calls then I can hit "ignore" and it goes to VM and then right away rings with their name shown. However I don't think you can send someone to voicemail with out sliding to activate the phone. You can hit the volume button on the side but that just mutes the ring.

[redivy524]

Can't you hit the button at the top of the phone - the power button? I forget which button allows you to send the call right to VM...

[kjam_productions]

BRILLIANT!

[PhoenixMoneyLady]

What about Verizon? They tell me I can NOT block calls. Anyone know how to do that? thanks
[e-mail]

[viper396]

Let's see, between the services that allow you to see who is calling and the services to block those services, both of which come from the same Phone provider, this endless round of competing and contradictory services could get out of hand. All along our phone bills will keep going up.

If you ask me there should only be a caller ID service and nobody should be allowed to block it. If you don't want someone to see who you are, don't call them. Anonymous prank and sales calls will go down.

[Shaun822]

There are actually a lot of reasons to block your number from caller ID services. One example is when a lawyer has to use their private cell phone to call people while they are on the road, they should be able to block the number of the cell phone to avoid harassment later on. Abuse victims, etc.

I miss the good old days when privacy was the norm and not the exception.

[lacuna3]

Blocking caller ID is not always about hiding one's identity. Sometimes it is just about not showing the phone # that one is calling from. ie: blocking your personal home or mobile number when calling a business client (from home or on the road), or blocking your work/mobile/someone else's borrowed phone when calling someone who might already have one of your numbers. Basically just being able to maintain a separation between work/home/mobile (since not everyone can afford to have separate cell phones for work + personal use, and not every company provides a mobile to everyone who might sometimes have to use one)

Also, I've never been happy with the idea that 1-800 numbers get the number either. I think the last 4-digits should be blocked for them (for people who are blocking caller ID), as the actual individual phone # isn't as important as the approximate location for most companies anyway)

[c|net Reader]

How about a service that permits one to make a call that purports to be from one number while actually coming from another, but requires that the caller verify identity and ownership of the number to be reported by Caller ID?

For example, the caller calls a special number from his private line (mobile or otherwise), dials the number for Caller ID to report, and then dials the remote number. Since the call originates from the caller's private line, it could be registered as being associated with the reported number which can then be displayed by Caller ID. Repeatedly entering the number to report would be tedious and error prone, so imagine that the service uses special prefix digits to select among the various numbers to report. If a caller needs to use a different phone, then the service could provide a separate number to call that requires that the caller enter his account number (the caller's home phone, perhaps), a PIN, and then the usual dialing sequence.

Thus, the lawyer might use his private phone to dial, say #771 plus the number he wants to call. The service recognizes #771 as indicating that it should report the first registered number to Caller ID and then connects the call using the rest of the dialed digits. #772 could mean the second registered number, etc. If the lawyer calls from another phone, he calls 1-8xx-something, enters his home number, enters his PIN, then dials #771 plus the number he wants to call.

By requiring up front registration and verification, the service can be easy to use and avoid misuse.

[Muhammad I.]

Crap, I can't prank call ppl anymore.

[denis9834]

awsome works like a charm now i'll know who the hell is being prank calling me. Thanks cnet

[wxliaw]

Hey I'm on T-Mobile, does anybody know what they (T-Mobile) calls this feature? Thanks

[e-mail]

[Renegade Knight]

I don't recall getting my cell phone calls for free. I pay to call and recieve calls. Seems like we should have the same immunity as 800 numbers.

[wkhai]

"However, the service raises a couple of sticky privacy issues, especially for victims of domestic violence.

Cindy Southworth, director of technology at the National Network to End Domestic Violence, told Wired that the service raises "huge concerns" for her that abusers would use the service to locate victims fleeing abusive relationships, especially ones in which the victim and abuser share custody of a child."

It still does not make sense... if you're FLEEING from an abuser (or anybody for that matter), why would you want to make contact / call him/her?

The problem with privacy issues is that people get caught up with all the legal mumbo-jumbo that they lose sight of common sense. If you were to LEGITIMATELY call somebody, you're making contact - what justifications do you have for remaining anonymous? Don't you identify yourself to the person you're calling? Anonymous phonecalls are a contradiction in itself. If you really wish to be anonymous, you have the option of using a public phone.

[Shaun822]

Wife leaves husband because of abuse has to call to arrange for the pick up of a child from the relationship at a neutral location. Wife wishes to remain anonymous because of abuse and has that right and in some cases court protection. Tah dah legitimate privacy interest that this violates.

[Sam Papelbon]

@Shaun822

in such an uncommon situation, i see no reason why the abused spouse can't use a friend or relative's phone, or a public phone, or perhaps police stations or courthouses will allow people in this situation to use their phones.

and do courts really give joint physical custody when a couple separates due to abuse?

[Shaun822]

@Sam

From what I have seen, which is a relatively small sampling compared the number of abuse cases, as long as the battering partner, spouse didn't harm the children then they will be allowed visitation with the children.

[dctech08]

that will teach my baby momma to keep her number from me. lol but wait. now im not anonymous anymore. do they have something like this for landlines too? oh oh....

[The_happy_switcher]

This just a waste of money. Is it really that hard to just let the call go to voicemail?

[nate2551]

I think this is nice. I'd get it.

[JC_in_KC]

You all can relax, Trapcall can still be defeated very easily, all you have to do is use a program like Yahoo messenger that has the capability to make PC to Telephone calls.

PC to phone calls? What is it?

Well, PC to Telephone lets use your PC to call any phone number, the best part is... There is no telephone number to come up on the caller ID period. I use it all the time.

JC in KC

Licensed Private Detective

[cptnjarhead]

Not for me.
I signed up for the beta and the very next day i received 5 calls from a 800 number.
called the number and it was a dating service. this could be a coincidence but i have never received 800# calls before.
Also there transcribe program allows them to listen to your voice mail.
from there website "In order to ensure the greatest accuracy, individuals working for TrapCall.com listen to your voicemails, transcribe them and send them to you as emails."
no thanks.

[molotov]

Very inconvenient Jarhead, especially when your uncle is seducing you for sexy time on Saturday night. Awkward.